Question 1

how much swelling, pain is normal with a metatarsal stress fracture, 10 weeks in boot. how to tell if fracture has healed on x-ray- how much callus?

Accepted Answer

After 10 weeks, : There should be little if any pain. If there is mobility about the fractured bones calluses will increase. If there is little if any movement little to no callus. If there is still pain after 10 weeks, there may have been a non-union in which case further treatment may be needed. You should speak to your doctor and repeat the X-ray. Then you should have a better idea of  what is going on

Question 2

3rd metatarsal stress fracture- 19 weeks boot, crutches. sore, swollen- not healed but exuberant callus. will it heal with boot or try other options?

Accepted Answer

Don't Move.: One very real cause of the "exuberant callus" is lack of, or less than, adequate stability of the fracture site. The movement must be neutralized and use of bone stimulator considered. When all else fails, surgerize.

Question 3

met. stress fracture- 34 wks not healed, orif 14 wks ago. dr, physio say callus, still healing- no running but walk in shoes. sore, swells- advice?.

Accepted Answer

Concerning: It is a little concerning that it is not yet healed.  Options are to give it more time, or use a bone stimulator, or consider addition of growth factors to area. The presence of callus there suggests some healing is occurring and it just may take more time.

Question 4

stress fracture 3rd met, not healed (some callus), sore, some swelling after 20 weeks. specialist says orif & bone graft to help healing. best option?

Accepted Answer

I would consider: A bone stimulator if u have not already

Question 5

metatarsal stress fracture- 16 weeks of boot, crutches- pain, swelling. some callus evident but healing incomplete on x-ray. what can be done?

Accepted Answer

Slow to heal: You may want to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a Bone Growth Stimulator. Sometimes we fix these problems with surgery however it depends on many factors.

Question 6

history of 4 & 5 metatarsal stress fracture that healed.now sharp grating pain is back. new xray shows nothing acute. now what?

Accepted Answer

Fracture care: It is very possible that you have incomplete fusion of the fracture site. The diagnosis of 4th and 5th stress fracture seems unlikely typically affects one metatarsal. I suggests that you obtain an MRI to make sure you have the correct diagnosis. Until then rest don't aggravate it.

Question 7

i had a femoral neck stress fracture in 2007. tests show that its healed but i still have limited mobility and severe pain in that hip. why?

Accepted Answer

Hip pain: You need further evaluation. Healed stress fracture 6 years ago should not still hurt. An MRI may be of benefit to rule out other issues such as avascular necrosis, cartilage or labral tears, etc.

Question 8

metatarsal stress fracture- 13 weeks in boot, x-ray shows not healed, sore, swelling- stay in boot, alternatives?

Accepted Answer

Possible nonunion: At 13 weeks, consider fracture nonunion. An MRI scan can determine if any healing has occurred.
Reasons for a nonunion may be motion at the fracture or an underlying metabolic issue, such as osteoporosis, hormonal imbalance, or Vitamin D/calcium/magnesium deficiencies.
Further medical evaluation can help determine why the fracture is not healing.
Surgery may be needed depending on which toe it is.

Question 9

how can you make a stress fracture heal fast?

Accepted Answer

Bone stimulator: A bone stimulator in my experience will make a stress fracture heal faster than natural forces alone  unfortunately stimulators are expensive and health insurance companies only pay for them in treating non-unions or delayed unions of certain types of fractures.

Question 10

is it possible that a stress fracture not heal?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is possible: Patients with some stress fractures, such as displaced femoral neck stress fractures and fifth metatarsal base stress fractures, are more likely to have complications such as nonunion. These complications should be monitored closely because surgical intervention may be necessary.

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Doctor answers about:

Does an exray of a healed metatrasal stress fracture show any callus

A member asked:

How much swelling, pain is normal with a metatarsal stress fracture, 10 weeks in boot. how to tell if fracture has healed on x-ray- how much callus?

A member asked:

3rd metatarsal stress fracture- 19 weeks boot, crutches. sore, swollen- not healed but exuberant callus. will it heal with boot or try other options?

A member asked:

Met. stress fracture- 34 wks not healed, orif 14 wks ago. dr, physio say callus, still healing- no running but walk in shoes. sore, swells- advice?.

A member asked:

Stress fracture 3rd met, not healed (some callus), sore, some swelling after 20 weeks. specialist says orif & bone graft to help healing. best option?

A member asked:

Metatarsal stress fracture- 16 weeks of boot, crutches- pain, swelling. some callus evident but healing incomplete on x-ray. what can be done?

A member asked:

History of 4 & 5 metatarsal stress fracture that healed.now sharp grating pain is back. new xray shows nothing acute. now what?

A member asked:

I had a femoral neck stress fracture in 2007. tests show that its healed but i still have limited mobility and severe pain in that hip. why?

A member asked:

Metatarsal stress fracture- 13 weeks in boot, x-ray shows not healed, sore, swelling- stay in boot, alternatives?

A member asked:

How can you make a stress fracture heal fast?

A member asked:

Is it possible that a stress fracture not heal?

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